Australian marine logistics specialist Mermaid Marine Australia Limited (MMA) has won a contract worth more than Aus $50m (US $52.5m) from BHP Billiton Petroleum for the provision of marine support to the operator’s Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) operations off- shore Western Australia.

The Mermaid Cove vessel, currently under construction in Singapore, will start operations later this year. The Mermaid Supporter will act as lead vessel until the Mermaid Cove is delivered. The contract is for an initial period of 5 years, with contract upside should the two additional 1-year options be exercised.

The Mermaid Cove is a 53 m (174 ft) DP2 Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) and a sister ship to the similarly-sized Mermaid Strait and Mermaid Sound. These two vessels are on long term contract with Woodside.

The Mermaid Cove shares design features with her sister vessels that enables it to work in close quarters operations to tankers during FPSO offtake operations. The vessel will also be the first OSV operating off the NW Shelf that will be fitted with a 10 m (33 ft) daughter craft as well as a 7 m (23 ft) fast rescue craft, which will significantly increase the vessel’s capability as a search and rescue and emergency response craft.

The Cove will also be equipped to undertake oil dispersant and recovery operations.